Apparatus for launching flying-machines.



J. M ANS. APPARATUS FOR LAUNGHING FLYING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1908,

922,71 1 Patented May 25, 1909.

JAMES MEANS, 01 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING FLYING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1909.

Application filed August 25, 1908. Serial No. 450,171.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns MEANS, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for LaunchingFlying-Machines, of which the Iol'lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for launching flying machines.

In a flying machine of the aeroplane type a certain high initialvelocity in the direction opposite to that of the wind is desirable forsoaring, and this velocity which varies according to conditions is bestimparted to the machine by means extraneous thereto, so that the weightof the machine may be a minimum.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efiicientapparatus for launch i-ng flying machines whereby any desired initialvelocity may be imparted to the machine to be launched in a directiontoward any point of-the compass.

With this object in view my invention consists in a table, preferablyrotatable, and fluid-pressLire-controlled means whereby the desiredinitial velocity may be imparted either directly to the flying machineor to a truck or other device carrying the same. The particular fluidpressure controlled mechanism which I prefer to employ consists in acylinder provided with means for evacuating the same to any desireddegree, and a piston adapted to be acted upon by atmospheric pressureagainst the vacuum created in the cylinder; but it will be understoodthat I do not limit myself specifically to the fluid-pressure controlledmechanism hereinafter described, inasmuch as otherfluid-pressure-controlled mechanisms may be employed, such for exampleas one operated by gas under high pressure.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specificationFigure 1 is a plan view and Fig. 2 is a central section of oneembodiment of my invention.

In that embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and shownin the accompanying drawings, A represents a table of suitabledimensions supported by the columns H on the base V], which in turn maybe supported by ballbearings or other suitable friction-reducing deviceson thestandardQ. The axle O which is rigidly secured to or integral withthe base W is inclosed within the journal P so that said base with itssuper-imposed table may with minimum eifort be rotated about the centerof said journal.

The table is provided with suitable guideways B which may be single ordouble rails, tracks or grooves upon which the device C may be supportedand by which said device may be guided. As shown, the members B areguide bars and the device 0 which may be a truck or sled carrying aflying machine, or which may be the flying machine itself, is preventedfrom leaving the guideways B when the truck is in motion by overhangingedges C. It will be understood, however, that any suitable means may beemployed for maintaining the truck C on the guideways B. The table maybe provided with a centrally arranged slot disposed above the cable Dwhich passes around the grooved pulley E and which may be driven at ahigh velocity by the fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism hereinafterdescribed. The rearward end of said cable is provided with. suit ableself-detaching device for temporarily connecting said cable with thetruck 0. As shown, this device consists in a socket F secured to theunder side of the truck and open on one side so that the ball G on theend of the cable may be retained within the socket so long as the cableexerts a forward pull on the same. However, as soon as the sled reachesa point near the end of the guideways B, the pull of the cable isdownward and the ball will drop out of the socket thereby disengagingthe cable from the device C. This device, if it be the flying machine tobe launched, will enter upon free flight and if it be a truck carryingsaid machine it will merely fall to the ground in front of the launchingdevice.

Arranged beneath the table A and preferably supported by the base is acylinder T of suitable length carrying a piston I, which preferably is adouble piston as shown and erovided at its inner end with the springbuffer or other suitable cushioning device J and with a pressure gage N.Any suitable air pump K which may be supported by the base W isconnected with the cylinder T b the pipe L provided with the valve M. twill be understood, however, that the cylinder T may be evacuated by anysuitable mechanism extraneous to the launching device.

R is a brake cooperating with the drum R of the pulley E and actuated inany suitable manner, as by the lever S. The trip U operated by thebell-crank lever V may be employed as shown for restraining the rearwardmovement of the piston I while the cylinder is being evacuated.

The operation is as follows: The sled or flying machine 0 is placed inthe position shown in the drawings at or near one end of the guidewaysB, and is connected with the cable D by the ball and socket joint GB.The trip U is adjusted to prevent any rearward movement of the piston.The air pump K is put in operation to exhaust the cylinder T to thedesired degree as indicated by the gage N. The turntable is, orpreviously has been, oriented so that the guideways have a positionparallel to the direction desired in flight. The brake R is thenstrongly applied and the piston I released by a movement of the lever Vthrowing the trip U out of the cylinder, whereupon the pressure of theatmosphere upon the piston forces the same through the cylinder to thebufler J, its velocity and consequently that of the device C beingregulated by the brake It. In this manner, the initial velocity desiredfor launching the flying machine is imparted thereto in the desireddirection, and at a point near the forward end of the guideways thecable is automatically released from said machine thereby allowing thesame to enter upon free flight.

One of the advantages of my invention lies in its suitability to thosemilitary operations where portability must be considered, thisportability in part arising from the fact that the cylinder T whenevacuated is a reservoir of energy in which the cumulative effect of acomparatively small motor-actuated air pump may be stored betweenlaunchings.

It will be obvious that between the piston and the device 0 any suitablemultiplying device may be used in case it should be found desirable toincrease the area of the piston and diminish the length of its stroke.

It will be understood that many modifications may be made in theapparatus shown in the drawings and hereinbefore described withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism for imarting forwardmotion to the machine to be aunched.

2. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism for im parting avariable initial velocity to the machine to be launched.

3. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha revoluble table, of fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism for impartingforward motion to the m aehine to be launched.

4. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha revoluble table, of fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism for im artinga variable initial velocity to the machine to be launched.

5. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of a cylinder containing a piston, means for evacuating saidcylinder and means operatively connecting said piston with the machineto be launched.

6. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha revoluble table, of a cylinder containing a piston, means forevacuating said cylinder and means operatively connecting said pistonwith the machine to be launched.

7. In an apparatus for launching flying said piston with the machine tobe launched.

9. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of a cylinder containing a piston, means for evacuating thecylinder, a cable connecting said piston with the machine to belaunched, and means for automatically detaching said cable from saidmachine at a point near the forward end of said table.

10. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of a cylinder containing a piston, means for evacuating thecylinder, means for restraining said piston during the evacuation ofsaid cylinder and means operatively connecting said piston with themachine to be launched.

11. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of a cylinder containing a piston, means for evacuating thecylinder, means operatively connecting said piston with the machine tobe launched and means for regulating the velocity of said piston duringthe launching operation.

12. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of guideways thereon constructed to support the machine to belaunched, a cylinder containing a piston, means for evacuating saidcylinder and means operatively connecting said piston with the machineto be launched, whereby the latter may be propelled along saidguideways.

13. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, witha table, of fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism extra- In testimonywhereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 24th day of Aug. 101908.

JAMES MEANS.

Witnesses:

PATRICK J. CoNRoY, GEO. K. WOODWORTH.

